How do the cherubim in Ezekiel 1:23 relate to God's presence? Description of the Cherubim in Ezekiel 1:23 “Under the expanse their wings stretched out toward one another. Each creature had two wings covering its body on this side and that side” (Ezekiel 1:23). Ezekiel sees four living creatures whose wings both extend upward to uphold the crystal-like “expanse” (raqiaʿ) and fold downward to conceal their own bodies. In the verses immediately before and after (1:4-28) they are identified by appearance—human form, four faces, four wings, gleaming as burnished bronze—and by function: they propel and support the fiery throne-chariot on which the likeness of the glory of the LORD (kavod YHWH) rests. Old Testament Background of Cherubim and Divine Presence • Genesis 3:24—God “placed cherubim and a flaming sword” east of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life. • Exodus 25:18-22—Two golden cherubim overshadow the atonement cover; the LORD promises, “There I will meet with you.” • 1 Kings 6:23-28—In Solomon’s temple, fifteen-foot-high cherubim fill the inner sanctuary where the ark stands. • Psalm 18:10—“He mounted a cherub and flew; He soared on the wings of the wind.” Throughout the Tanakh, cherubim are stationed where God’s presence meets earth, protecting sacred space and forming the throne or vehicle of the Almighty. Function: Throne-Bearers and Guardians of Holiness In Near-Eastern iconography, winged composite beings support royal thrones (e.g., lamassu from Sargon II’s palace, excavated at Khorsabad in 1843). Scripture redeploys that imagery but insists that the cherubim are real, personal beings who serve the one true God. Ezekiel’s vision shows them bearing the throne upward, downward, and in every direction “wherever the Spirit would go” (1:20). Their movement signals that God’s holy presence is not confined to temple walls; He is sovereign over exile as He was over Zion. Symbolism of the Outstretched and Covering Wings The two upward-stretching wings connect to the “expanse,” visually constructing a mobile sanctuary whose ceiling separates Creator from creation (cf. Genesis 1:6-8). The two downward wings “cover” (kasah) the bodies of the cherubim, echoing Isaiah’s seraphim who veil themselves in God’s holiness (Isaiah 6:2). Covering speaks of reverence; stretching speaks of mediation. Together they dramatize the tension between God’s transcendence and His nearness. Theological Implications for God’s Immanence and Transcendence 1. Transcendence—The crystal expanse and fire encircle the throne, marking an unapproachable holiness (1 Timothy 6:16). 2. Immanence—The chariot descends to Chebar; the same God who fills heaven rides into Babylonian captivity with His people (Psalm 139:8-10). 3. Covenantal Faithfulness—Because the cherubim are covenant throne-guardians, their presence guarantees that even in judgment God has not abandoned His promises to Abraham, Moses, and David. Connections to Tabernacle, Temple, and Ark of the Covenant Ezekiel deliberately mirrors the cherubim that overshadowed the ark. The prophet-priest, barred from the Jerusalem sanctuary, beholds the heavenly original. Hebrews 8:5 reminds us that earthly sanctuaries are “a copy and shadow of the heavenly things.” Thus, Ezekiel’s cherubim explain why the Most Holy Place was embroidered with cherubim (Exodus 26:31; 2 Chronicles 3:14): every stitch pointed to the real throne-bearers of the living God. Role in the Departure and Return of the Glory in Ezekiel Chapters 10–11 record the tragic yet orderly withdrawal: the glory rises from above the cherubim, pauses on the threshold, then halts at the east gate, finally hovering over the Mount of Olives. The same throne-bearers later escort the glory back to a restored temple (Ezekiel 43:1-5). Cherubim therefore stand at every movement of God’s manifest presence—arrival, departure, and return. Typological Fulfillment in Christ The atonement cover (hilastērion) overshadowed by cherubim prefigured Christ, whom God presented as “an atoning sacrifice” (Romans 3:25). In John 20:12 two angels sit where Jesus’ body had been—one at the head, one at the feet—forming a living echo of the cherubic mercy seat and testifying that the resurrected Christ is the new meeting place between God and humanity. Practical and Devotional Applications • Worship—The concealed yet active cherubim invite humble awe. God is both infinitely exalted and immediately present. • Purity—Guardianship over sacred space warns believers to pursue holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16). • Hope—If God’s throne can roll into exile, it can also roll into every modern heart and situation (Revelation 3:20). Summary Key Points 1. Cherubim in Ezekiel 1:23 uphold, surround, and shield the throne, making visible the mobile dwelling of God. 2. Their outstretched and covering wings picture mediation and reverence, reinforcing God’s immanence and transcendence. 3. Throughout Scripture cherubim appear wherever God’s personal presence is disclosed—from Eden to the tabernacle, temple, exile, resurrection tomb, and final new creation. 4. In Christ, the realities symbolized by cherubim reach their climax, granting believers bold yet reverent access to the Father through the Spirit. |
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